File photo / The RepublicanSirdeaner L. Walker of Springfield, mother of 11-year-old Carl J. Walker-Hoover, a student at New Leadership Charter School, who hanged himself after complaining about bullying at the school, talks with reporters in May about dealing with her son's death. On Tuesday, she testfied in front of legislators on Beacon Hill. BOSTON – A Springfield mother and two others from Cape Cod joined on Tuesday in urging legislators to approve a bill to help prevent bullying at public schools. Two of the women testifying said their bullied sons killed themselves.

Sirdeaner L. Walker, of Springfield, Theresa M. Jackson, of Sandwich, and Robin D’Antona, of Falmouth, told members of the Education Committee about the bullying inflicted on their children.

“I know now that bullying is not a race issue or a religious issues and it’s not a gay issue or a straight issue,” Walker, 44, said, leaning forward and gesturing during her testimony. “It’s a safety issue.”

Walker’s 11-year-old son, Carl J. Walker-Hoover, committed suicide by hanging himself in April. The mother said his death followed constant bullying by classmates at the New Leadership Charter School in Springfield.

Her voice cracking with emotion, Jackson said her 13-year-old autistic son was a victim of “cyber bullying” in April 2008. Someone using a cell phone taped him at his first school dance in Sandwich and posted the recording on the Internet, where it received pages of horrific comments, she said.

“Please pass an anti-bullying law that is responsive and responsible,” Jackson, 48, told legislators.

D’Antona said her 14-year-old son committed suicide by hanging in 1993 after he was bullied by classmates in a high school north of Boston.

“Bullying is about violence,” she said. “It is a major issue with grave consequences.”

D’Antona, an educational consultant, said 42 states have laws against bullying.

Bullying can include name calling, teasing and other forms of harassment, according to testimony. It can also include physical violence.

A coalition, led by the Anti-Defamation League, is supporting a bill by Rep. John H. Rogers, D-Norwood, to curb bullying incidents involving students.

The bill requires school districts to approve policies to respond to bullying, including “cyber bullying.” The bill also requires the state to develop a model policy and training manuals.

The Education Committee heard 11 bills at least partly aimed at reducing bullying in public schools.

The co-chair of the Education Committee, Rep. Martha M. Walz, D-Boston, said legislators would craft a single bill containing the best ideas of the various bills.

“Your testimony is enormously powerful,” Walz told the three mothers. “We are very grateful.”

Rep. Antonio F. D. Cabral, D-New Bedford, testified on a bill that would make teachers, principals, bus drivers and other school personnel “mandated reporters” of bullying. They could be fined a minimum of $1,000 if they fail to report bullying, Cabral said.